New Canaan Police are investigating two smash-and-grabs from vehicles parked at the New Canaan YMCA parking lot, reported at 2:36 p.m. and 3:09 p.m. on Jan. 19.
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The Board of Education on Monday adopted a proposed operating budget for next fiscal year of about $103.9 million, a 4.84% increase from current spending. Some highlights:
- 82%-plus of the proposed spending represents salaries and benefits for staff and faculty (primarily classroom teachers, teaching assistants and specials teachers);
- The budget includes the addition of 3.1 classroom teachers and one campus monitor.
- The Board of Ed separately is making an approximately $4.3 million facilities capital request. That figure includes $150,000 for the widely anticipated planetarium project at New Canaan High School. The fundraising team for the project has already exceeded 80% of its goal, and the additional town funds would see the project through.
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Officials have received more reports of black bear sightings in northeastern New Canaan. Residents reported seeing bears on Deep Valley and Laurel Roads on Monday and Tuesday during the 5 p.m. hour, according to New Canaan Animal Control Officer Allyson Halm. A bird feeder was destroyed on one property.
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The owner of an Avalon Drive East residence on Tuesday filed papers to evict tenants, saying they failed to pay $3,745 in monthly rent after signing a lease to live there starting in November, Connecticut Judicial Branch records show.
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Waveny Park Conservancy Chair Steve Boeschenstein told the Board of Selectmen during a budget meeting Thursday that the organization’s plans for 2023 include complete restoration of the Eberle fountain sculpture and improving communications. Selectman Nick Williams praised the Conservancy’s work, saying, “Waveny has never looked better, pure and simple.” Willaims added that the Conservancy’s public-private partnership, like the New Canaan Athletic Foundation’s, “shows the incredible generosity of New Canaan citizens.”
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Niche.com ranked New Canaan High School number two in the state among public high schools for 2023, behind Staples High School in Westport. NCHS is immediately followed by Darien, Greenwich and Wilton.
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The Town Players of New Canaan presents “Ordinary People,” showing Feb. 17 to March 5 at the Powerhouse Theatre in Waveny. Ticket info here (these shows do sell out).
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Police at 1:27 p.m. on Jan. 21 received a report of copper wire stolen from an Eversource substation vehicle in the area of 163 Lakeview Ave.
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Pet Pantry Warehouse—a business with a location on Grove Street in New Canaan and that sponsors the annual Dog Days event in town and also feeds the New Canaan Police K-9 dog—is up for “Best Pet Supply/Clothing Store” in the Best of the Gold Coast contest:
Please take a moment to VOTE Pet Pantry best pet supplies/pet clothing of the Gold Coast! You can find us listed under “daily essentials”. Thank you for supporting our family owned small business! 🐾 #PPWPet #BestOfTheGoldCoast #FairfieldCounty https://t.co/jn7ya06TQg
— Pet Pantry Warehouse (@PPWPET) January 19, 2023
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Police at 7:52 p.m. Tuesday received a report of mail stolen from an Oak Street mailbox.
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The town will seek a $5,000 state grant that is expected to help the Department of Public Works care for neglected cemeteries around New Canaan, including mowing and removal of brush. The selectmen voted 3-0 to approve a request from the town’s recently hired grant writer, Greg Reilly, authorizing the first selectman to put in for the funds.
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Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi on Thursday noted that more than 70% of NCHS students participate in athletics. During a budget presentation to the selectmen, Luizzi listed some of the outstanding athletic accomplishments at NCHS the past academic year, including:
- Field Hockey (15-3)—FCIAC and CIAC semi-finalists
- Football (9-1)—Class L state champions
- Boys Golf (10-1-1)—FCIAC runner up
- Girls Golf (13-0)—FCIAC and Division I state champions
- Boys Swimming & Diviving (7-3)—FCIAC East and state champions
- Girls Ice Hockey (24-0-1)—FCIAC and state champions
- Girls Lacrosse (20-1)—FCIAC and Class L state champions
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A motorist passed a stopped school bus in the area of 85 Locust Ave., according to a complaint filed at 5:08 p.m. on Jan. 24.
New Canaan resident Mariola Camacho’s entry into the annual photography show at the Carriage Barn Arts Center.
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Work from New Canaan photographers Paul Balmer, Mariola Camacho, Norm Jensen, Constance Keller, Jeanne McDonagh, Jamie Rhind, Tyler Rhind and Hooey Wilks will be included in the Carriage Barn Art Center’s annual juried photography show, on view Feb. 4 to March 5. Sponsors include Walter Stewart’s, Stewart’s Spirits, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Milford Photo.
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Congratulations to Alexandra Allen of New Canaan on receiving a scholarship to Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. The $60,000 Presidential Endowed Scholarship Award—earned for having a competitive grade point average and Optometry Admission Test score as well as demonstrated leadership and service—comes with a $60,000 scholarship over the course of the four-year doctorate program. The daughter of Michael and Irene Allen, Alexandra graduated from NCHS and Duke University.
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Williams, himself a former Board of Ed chair, told Luizzi during the Board of Ed budget presentation that in all his years in town government, he’s most proud of “leading the search committee that hired you.”
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Finally, here are some worthwhile local events coming up soon (add your event to the Community Calendar here and we’ll share it with fellow residents):
- HomeFront To Describe Its Mission at New Canaan Men’s Club Meeting (January 27 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am)
- New Canaan Beautification League Presents ‘Gardens for All’ (February 1 @ 9:30 am – 12:00 pm)
- Horizons Comedy Night (February 10 @ 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm)
- Blossom Hill For the Love of a Child Luncheon (February 13 @ 11:30 am)
- SoulFete: From Africa to America, A Culinary Tasting Immersion (March 2 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)